Chetan Singh Jauramajra reiterates commitment to make every effort for the well-being of soldiers, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen

Chetan Singh Jauramajra reiterates commitment to make every effort for the well-being of soldiers, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen. Flags off cycle rally, will cover all the districts of Punjab during month long journey. Launches QR Code to make digital contribution to the Flag Day Fund

Chandigarh, November 7: Punjab Defence Services Welfare Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra, on Tuesday, reiterated that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government will continue to make every effort for the welfare of the serving soldiers, families of martyrs and ex-servicemen.

After flagging off a cycle rally to mark the Armed Forces Flag Day, falling on December 7, from the War Memorial, Bougainvillea Park, Sector-3 here, Defence Services Welfare Minister S. Chetan Singh Jauramajra said that the state government has enhanced Ex-Gratia to next of kin of martyred jawans of State from Rs.50 lakh to Rs.1.00 crore. “For the well-being of ex-servicemen and their dependents to ensure they lead a dignified life in the society, the state government gave nod to double the ex-gratia grant of Disabled Soldiers both from Military and Para-Military force with disability from 76% to 100% to Rs.40 Lakh, disabled soldiers with 51% to 75% disability to Rs.20 Lakh and disabled soldiers with 25% to 50% disability to Rs.10 Lakhs. Soldiers with disability from 76% to 100% were earlier getting Rs.20 Lakh, disabled soldiers with 51% to 75% were getting Rs.10 Lakh and disabled soldiers with 25% to 50% disability were earlier getting Rs.5 Lakhs as financial assistance.

Besides this, the government has also decided to amend “The East Punjab War Awards Act, 1948” for enhancing the financial assistance of 83 beneficiaries from Rs.10,000 per annum to Rs.20,000 per annum. The state government provides War Jagir as financial assistance to those parents whose only child or two to three children had served in the Indian Army during the Second World War, National Emergency 1962 and 1971 under “The East Punjab War Awards Act 1948”, Presently 83 beneficiaries are availing benefits under this policy. Accordingly, Punjab has announced that financial assistance to those parents whose only child or two to three children had served in the Indian Army during the Second World War, National Emergency 1962 and 1971 under “The East Punjab War Awards Act 1948” will be increased from Rs.10,000 per annum to Rs. 20,000 per annum.

The Defence Services Welfare Minister apprised that the cycle rally will pass through all the districts of state of Punjab and will be flagged in by Hon’ble Governor of Punjab at Punjab Raj Bhawan, Chandigarh on December 7, 2023 on Armed Forces Flag Day.

Jauramajra said that the purpose of this cycle rally is to spread awareness among the people about the sacrifices made by the soldiers of Punjab for the integrity and sovereignty of our country and to create inspiration and patriotism among the youth of Punjab as well as to encourage them to join the Armed Forces.

Chetan Singh Jauramajra also launched a QR Code under the new initiative to make digital contribution to the Flag Day Fund, urging the people to make maximum contribution for Flag Day through online process.

The cadets of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute, Mai Bhago Armed Forces Preparatory Institute and from all three wings of NCC presented salutation to the martyrs.

Prominent amongst others who were present on this occasion included Principal Secretary, Defence Services Welfare Mr. JM Balamurgan, Director Brig. BS Dhillon, Deputy Director Cdr. Baljinder Singh Virk, civil dignitaries, ex-servicemen, NCC cadets and staff of defense services welfare department.